Caroline Nokes
MP for Romsey and Southampton North · Conservative · United Kingdom
“I was overseas when the tributes to the Clerk of the House were made last week, so I would just like to correct the Minister: the Clerk of the House cannot be very long serving, because he is clearly an incredibly young man and far too young to retire. I add my thanks to him for all the support and help he has given me in this role.”
House of Commons29 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I will now announce the result of today’s deferred Divisions. On the draft Railways (Interoperability in Northern Ireland) (Convention on International Carriage by Rail) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, the Ayes were 345 and the Noes were 108, so the Ayes have it.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. He will know that the Chair is not responsible for Ministers’ remarks in the Chamber, but I am sure that Members on the Treasury Bench will have heard his comments and that if a correction is needed, one will be made. Petition”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I will now announce the results of today’s deferred Divisions. On the draft ACAS Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities, the Ayes were 328, the Noes were 114, so the Ayes have it.”
House of Commons14 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. He will know—as, indeed, will the whole House—how important it is for Ministers to provide timely responses to correspondence from Members. Those on the Treasury Bench will have heard his concerns, and I note that it is the Leader of the House who is listening to this.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“We now come to the first Select Committee statement. The Chair of the Procedure Committee, the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Cat Smith), will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which time no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, Members may ask questions on the subject of the statement.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
The complete record
5,492 held · 5,468 searchable for Caroline Nokes. The searchable lines are below in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 10.
This is not an official version of UK Parliament proceedings. It reproduces the published record and links to it; the official version is the one UK Parliament publishes.
“(3) The conditions referred to in subsection 2(b) are that— (a) the amounts paid by the union’s members into the union’s political fund as their contribution to the union’s affiliation fee, and the money paid by that union to the registered party as its affiliation fee are the same; (b) the following information must be provided by the union on all of its membership application forms— (i) an explanation of what the political fund is and the union’s affiliation to a political party; (ii) an explanation of how much individual members contribute to the political fund and towards the union’s affiliation fee; (iii) an explanation of the trade union member’s right at any time to stop contributing to the political fund and the union’s affiliation fee and clear information about how they can do this; and (iv) an explanation of the fact that if a member stops contributing, their membership subscription will be reduced accordingly; and (c) the union informs its members annually of the amount they are contributing to the union’s affiliation fee and of their right to opt out of contributing to the political fund, including how they may do so.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) “Donations” for the purpose of sections 55A to 55F, has the meaning given in section 50 (donations for the purposes of part iv) but does not apply to— (a) public funds within the meaning of section 55(2); (b) affiliation fees paid by a trade union to a registered party that comply with the conditions set out in subsection (3) below; (c) subscriptions paid by industrial and provident societies to a registered party; (d) donations between registered parties; (e) exempt trusts within the meaning of section 162(2); (f) bequests.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors) insert— “55A Cap on donations (1) A permissible donor must not, subject to subsections (3) and (4), directly or indirectly give a donation to a relevant regulated entity that, individually or in aggregate with other donations from that permissible donor in the same calendar year, exceeds £250,000 “the donations cap”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the administration of the conditions in subsection (4). (6) Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”” This new clause would introduce an annual cap of £100,000 on donations for registered parties, recognised third parties, regulated donees, permitted participants or candidates and their agents, with exemptions for certain organisational donations and bequests. New clause 80— Cap on donations — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as follows. (2) After section 55 (payments etc.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) The conditions for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) are— (a) that the total amount contributed by members of a union to its political fund for the purpose of paying that union’s affiliation fee to a registered party is no less than the total affiliation fee paid by that union to the registered party; and (b) that the trade union has within the previous twelve months provided those members who contribute to the political fund of that union with details of— (i) the purpose of the political fund; (ii) any relationship between the union and any political party in receipt of contributions paid from the political fund; and (iii) the manner in which a member who contributes to the political fund may exercise a right to stop any contribution to the political fund.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to donations between registered parties or where the source of funds for the donation are— (a) public funds within the meaning of section 55(2); (b) exempt trusts within the meaning of section 162(2); (c) affiliation fees paid by a trade union to a registered party that comply with the conditions set out in subsection (4); (d) subscriptions paid by registered societies under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 to a registered party; or (e) bequests.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) After section 56 (acceptance of return of donations: general) insert— “56A Cap on donations exceeding £100,000 (1) A registered party, recognised third party, regulated donee or permitted participant must not accept a donation or gift from a person if the value of donations and gifts from that person during the course of that calendar year exceeds £100,000. (2) Where a donation is received which would cause the limit for the purposes of subsection (1) to be exceeded, the amount by which the limit is exceeded is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as a donation received from a person who is not a permissible donor.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 70— Limits on campaign expenditure — “In paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (limits on campaign expenditure)— (a) in sub-paragraph (2), for "£54,010" substitute "£37,600"; (b) in sub-paragraph (3)(a), for "£1,458,440" substitute "£1,015,100"; (c) in sub-paragraph (3)(b), for "£216,060" substitute "£150,390"; (d) in sub-paragraph (3)(c), for "£108,030" substitute “£75,000"; (e) in sub-paragraph (4), for "£54,010" substitute “£37,600”.” This new clause lowers the national campaign spending limits for political parties, in line with recommendations from the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL). New clause 71— Cap on donations exceeding £100,000 — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsection (2).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“() In paragraph 6 of schedule 6 (Donations from impermissible donors), after “section 54(1)(a)” insert— “or section 55B.” (8) In Schedule 20, in Table after Section 56(3) or (4) (failure to return donations) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year” Insert— Section 55A(8) (cap on donations) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year Section 55B On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year Section 55D(3) (declaration as to compliance with the donations cap) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year””” The purpose of this new clause is to introduce a cap on the amount any individual or organisation can give to a political party, candidate, third party campaigner or regulated donee within a calendar year, together with related offences, through amendment to PPERA 2000.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
““relevant person” for the purposes of subsection 55B(2) means— (a) in the case of a political party, the Treasurer; (b) in the case of a recognised third party, the responsible person; (c) in the case of a regulated donee, that person; and (d) in the case of a candidate, that person.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) In section 56(2), after "by virtue of section 54(1)" insert— “or section 55B” (4) After section 56(2) insert— 56 “(2A) Where subsection (2) applies and only part of a donation exceeds the donation cap, the party may retain the amount that does not exceed the donations cap.” (5) In section 61(1) (offences concerned with evasion of restrictions on donations), after "other than a permissible donor" insert— “, or which facilitates or is likely to facilitate a breach of section 55A (cap on donations)” (6) In section 160 (general interpretation)— (a) after "“organisation” includes any body corporate and any combination of persons or other unincorporated association;" insert— “political fund” means a political fund maintained by a trade union under Part I of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;” (b) after “registered party” means a party registered under Part II of this Act;” insert— “relevant regulated entity” means— (a) a registered party within the meaning of Part II of this Act; (b) a recognised third party within the meaning of Part VI of this Act; (c) a regulated donee within the meaning of Schedule 7 of this Act; (d) a candidate standing for a relevant election within the meaning of section 22(5) of this Act; (e) an unincorporated association making political contributions within the meaning of Schedule 19A.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55F Verification by directors, members and persons of significant control of political donations by companies and limited liability partnerships (1) A company or limited liability partnership must not make a donation until they have verified with their directors, members, shareholders and people with significant control that doing so would not exceed the donations cap. (2) In section 56(1) (acceptance or return of donations: general), leave out from “ascertain)” to the end of the subsection and insert— (a) the identity of the donor; (b) whether they are a permissible donor, and (if that appears to be the case) all such details in respect of him as are required by virtue of paragraph 2 or 2A of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation; (c) whether the donation exceeds the donations cap.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) For the purposes of this section, the relevant persons connected with a limited liability partnership are— (a) members of the limited liability partnership, and (b) persons with significant control over the limited liability partnership. (4) This section applies in addition to, and not in place of, any donation made by the relevant person in their own capacity. (5) This section does not apply to companies with voting shares admitted to trading on a UK regulated market or an EU regulated market within the meaning of section 1173 (minor definitions: general) of the Companies Act 2006.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55E Attribution of donations connected with companies and limited liability partnerships (1) For the purposes of section 55A (cap on donations)— (a) a donation made by a company or limited liability partnership is to be treated as made by each relevant person connected with that company or limited liability partnership, and (b) a donation made by a relevant person is to be treated as made by each company or limited liability partnership with which that person is connected. (2) For the purposes of this section, the relevant persons connected with a company are— (a) members of the company, (b) directors of the company, (c) shareholders of the company, and (d) persons with significant control over the company within the meaning of Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) A declaration under this section must also state the full name and address of the person by whom it is made and, where subsection (1)(b) applies— (a) state that the person is authorised by P to make the declaration; (b) describe the person's role or position in relation to P; and (c) where relevant, that they have complied with the requirements of section 55F (verification by directors, members and persons of significant control of political donations by companies and limited liability partnerships). (3) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence. (4) The Commission may by regulations prescribe a form of declaration which may be used for the purposes of this section, and other declarations donors are required to give to a relevant regulated entity by virtue of this Act.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55D Declaration as to compliance with the donations cap (1) Where a person (P) causes an amount to be received by a relevant regulated entity by way of a donation, a written declaration must be given to the relevant regulated entity— (a) by P, if P is an individual, or (b) if not, by an individual authorised by P to make the declaration, stating, to the best of the individual's knowledge and belief, the donation does not exceed the donations cap under section 55A (cap on donations).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55C Receipts for donations (1) A relevant regulated entity must, within the period of 30 days beginning with the relevant date, provide the donor with a receipt which states— (a) the name of the relevant regulated entity, and any unique identifier given to it by the Electoral Commission; (b) the amount of the donation received; (c) the amount of the donation accepted or returned; and (d) the date on which the donation was accepted or returned.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) and who knew or ought reasonably to have known their donation exceeded the donations cap commits an offence. 55B Prohibition on accepting donations in excess of the cap (1) A relevant regulated entity must not accept a donation that, individually or in aggregate with other donations from that donor, exceeds the donations cap under section 55A. (2) A relevant person or unincorporated association that contravenes subsection (1) and who knew or ought reasonably to have known that accepting a donation would exceed the donations cap under section 55A commits an offence.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) The conditions referred to in subsection 2(b) are that— (a) the amounts paid by the union’s members into the union’s political fund as their contribution to the union’s affiliation fee, and the money paid by that union to the registered party as its affiliation fee are the same; (b) the following information must be provided by the union on all of its membership application forms: (i) an explanation of what the political fund is and the union’s affiliation to a political party; (ii) an explanation of how much individual members contribute to the political fund and towards the union’s affiliation fee; (iii) an explanation of the trade union member’s right at any time to stop contributing to the political fund and the union’s affiliation fee and clear information about how they can do this; and (iv) an explanation of the fact that if a member stops contributing, their membership subscription will be reduced accordingly; and (c) the union informs its members annually of the amount they are contributing to the union’s affiliation fee and of their right to opt out of contributing to the political fund, including how they may do so.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) “Donations” for the purpose of sections 55A to 55F, has the meaning given in section 50 (donations for the purposes of part iv) but does not apply to— (a) public funds within the meaning of section 55(2); (b) affiliation fees paid by a trade union to a registered party that comply with the conditions set out in subsection (3) below; (c) subscriptions paid by industrial and provident societies to a registered party; (d) donations between registered parties; (e) exempt trusts within the meaning of section 162(2); (f) bequests.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors) insert— “55A Cap on donations (1) A permissible donor must not, subject to subsections (3) and (4), directly or indirectly give a donation to a relevant regulated entity that, individually or in aggregate with other donations from that permissible donor in the same calendar year, exceeds £1,000,000 “the donations cap”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“on the day of the poll at that election. (1AB) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1AA)(b) whether an application would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1), the registration officer must have regard to— (a) the means of postal delivery used, and (b) any evidence before the registration officer as to the reasonable expectation for the time of delivery by that means”.’ This new clause would require registration officers to accept postal applications for proxy votes in local and general elections in England and Wales, and in general elections in Scotland and Northern Ireland received after the deadline, where there is proof that the application was sent on time for the deadline. New clause 69— Cap on donations — ‘(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as follows. (2) After section 55 (payments etc.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“on the day of the poll at that election. (1AB) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1AA)(b) whether an application would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1), the registration officer must have regard to— (a) the means of postal delivery used, and (b) any evidence before the registration officer as to the reasonable expectation for the time of delivery by that means” (3) In regulation 57 (closing date for applications) of the Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001, after paragraph (1) insert— “(1AA) An application for a proxy vote under paragraph 3(1), (6) or (7), 4(3) or 7(4) of Schedule 4 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 for a particular parliamentary election is not to be refused by virtue of paragraph (1) if— (a) the application was sent by post; and (b) the registration officer is satisfied on the basis of a postmark or other proof of posting that the application was posted at such time that it would be a reasonable expectation of the applicant that it would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1); and (c) the application was received before 5 p.m.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(1AB) In determining for the purposes of paragraph (1AA)(b) whether an application would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1), the registration officer must have regard to— (a) the means of postal delivery used, and (b) any evidence before the registration officer as to the reasonable expectation for the time of delivery by that means.” (2) In regulation 56 (closing date for applications) of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001, after paragraph (1) insert— “(1AA) An application for a proxy vote under paragraph 3(1), (6) or (7), 4(3) or 7(4) of Schedule 4 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 for a particular parliamentary election is not to be refused by virtue of paragraph (1) if— (a) the application was sent by post; and (b) the registration officer is satisfied on the basis of a postmark or other proof of posting that the application was posted at such time that it would be a reasonable expectation of the applicant that it would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1); and (c) the application was received before 5 p.m.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 68— Deadlines for proxy vote applications sent by post — ‘(1) In regulation 56 (closing date for applications) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, after paragraph (1) insert— “(1AA) An application for a proxy vote under paragraph 3(1), (6) or (7), 4(3) or 7(4) of Schedule 4 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 is not to be refused by virtue of paragraph (1) if— (a) the application was sent by post; and (b) the registration officer is satisfied on the basis of a postmark or other proof of posting that the application was posted at such time that it would be a reasonable expectation of the applicant that it would have been delivered before the time mentioned in paragraph (1); and (c) the application was received before 5 p.m. on the day of the poll at that election.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“It would not ban campaigning in native languages of the British Islands such as in English, Welsh, Cornish, Ulster Scots, Irish, et al. Nor would it prevent campaigning via the likes of BSL or Braille.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— (a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine; (b) on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. (5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) to prove— (a) that the person took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that the campaign material was not promoted or published contrary to subsection (1), and (b) that the contravention arose from circumstances beyond the person’s control.” This new clause would ban election materials published in a foreign language by political parties and candidates during the short campaign.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 67— Language of campaign materials — “(1) During the relevant period campaign material must not be promoted or published in a foreign language. (2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person causes campaign material to be promoted or published that falls within subsection (1). (3) For the purposes of this section— “campaign material” means imprinted election campaign material published by political parties and candidates, whether in hard copy or digital format; “foreign language” means a native language of any foreign country outside the British Islands, other than English; “relevant period” the period after the date on which the candidate becomes a candidate at an election.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“not to be regarded as donations), for subsection (3) substitute— “(3) Nothing in section 50 or 51 shall have the result that a payment made in respect of the— (a) hire of a stand, (b) hire or sponsorship of a lounge, dedicated space, room, marquee, roundtable event, meal or reception, at or associated with a party conference organised by or on behalf of a registered party is to constitute a donation to the party for the purposes of this Part if or to the extent that the payment does not exceed such of the maximum commercial rates which the Commission determine to be reasonable for such types of activity at a conference.”” This new clause amends the definition of sponsorship for the purposes of PPERA 2000 so that it does not include advertising, marketing, hire of a stand or a space associated with a party conference, where payment is made at commercial rates.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) In section 51 (sponsorship) after subsection 3 (b) insert— “(c) the making of any payment in respect of advertisements or marketing at a conference organised by or on behalf of a registered party where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for such advertisements or marketing;” (3) In section 52 (payments, services etc.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The matters which the review must consider shall include, but shall not be limited to— (a) the experience of overseas voters at 2024 general election; (b) the impact of the Elections Act 2022 on overseas voters; (c) the number of voters participating from overseas in recent elections in the United Kingdom. (3) The independent review must report within six months of the passing of this Act and be laid before Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into increasing the registration and participation by overseas electors in UK parliamentary elections. New clause 66— Sponsorship — “(1) The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Any regulations made under subsection (1) must be made under the affirmative procedure.” This new clause would allow the Secretary of State to regulate to introduce a system to allow overseas electors the ability to register to vote when they renew their passport online. New clause 65— Independent review of registration and participation by overseas electors in UK Parliamentary elections— “(1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review into how to increase the registration and participation by overseas electors in UK Parliamentary elections.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Any regulations made under this section must not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to make provision by regulations so that overseas electors can vote in person at United Kingdom embassies, consulates and high commissions for United Kingdom parliamentary elections. New clause 64— Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad— “(1) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, introduce a system to give overseas electors the option to register to vote when they renew their British passport online.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 63— Overseas electors: reform to voting process— “(1) The Secretary of State, must, by regulations, make provision to enable overseas voters to vote in person at a United Kingdom Embassy, High Commission or consulate at United Kingdom parliamentary elections. (2) For the purpose of this section, an “overseas elector” is a person who fulfils the requirements for an overseas elector in section 1 (extension of parliamentary franchise) of the RPA 1985. (3) Regulations made under subsection (1) may amend provision made by or under any other Act as necessary.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(10) In this section “the 40-day period”, in relation to draft guidance, means— (a) if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and (b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House, no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days. (11) Returning Officers must have regard to guidance issued under this section in exercising their functions.” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to prepare, and Parliament to approve, statutory guidance to Returning Officers on the enforcement of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(7) If no resolution of the kind mentioned in subsection (5) is made within the 40-day period— (a) the Secretary of State must issue the guidance in the form of the draft laid before Parliament, (b) the Commission must arrange for the guidance to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate, and (c) the guidance comes into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations appoint. (8) The Commission— (a) may from time to time prepare draft revised guidance under this section, and (b) must prepare draft revised guidance under this section if directed to do so by the Secretary of State. (9) References in this section (other than in subsection (1)) to guidance or draft guidance include revised guidance or draft revised guidance.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) Within 28 days of receipt the draft ballot secrecy guidance, the Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament a copy of the draft guidance, either— (a) in its original form, or (b) in a form which incorporates any modifications that the Secretary of State considers necessary. (4) If the draft guidance incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State must at the same time lay before each House a statement of the Secretary of State’s reasons for making them. (5) If, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft guidance, the Secretary of State must take no further steps in relation to the draft guidance. (6) Subsection (5) does not prevent new draft guidance from being laid before Parliament.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“5C Regulations under paragraph 5B are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”” This new clause prevents a new political party from applying to be registered with the Electoral Commission if it has assets of more than £250,000 at the time of registration, and to provide the Commission with details of the bank accounts used. New clause 62— Statutory guidance on suspected breaches of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023— “(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Electoral Commission must prepare draft guidance for Returning Officers on enforcing the provisions of the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023. (2) Once the Commission has prepared draft guidance under this section, it must submit it to the Secretary of State.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) In Section 28 (registration of parties) after subsection (3D) insert— “(3DA) A party may not make an application under this section at any time when the total value of the party’s assets is greater than £250,000” (3) In Schedule 4 (applications under part II) after paragraph 5 insert— “5A An application must be accompanied by a declaration containing the details of all bank accounts used by the central party and, where relevant, its accounting units for managing all income and expenditure of the party. 5B The Secretary of State may by regulations set out the information required in a declaration under paragraph 5A following a recommendation by the Electoral Commission.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(10) In section 37 (interpretation of part), in subsection (1) after “section 30” insert “or 30A”.” This new clause would require courts to make a disqualifying order alongside court orders imposed to prevent abuse or harassment in cases where the hostility relates to a person protected under the Elections Act 2022. New clause 61— Restriction on registration of parties with assets greater than £250,000— “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(7) For the purpose of deciding whether to make a disqualification order the court may consider evidence led by the prosecution and the defence. (8) It is immaterial whether evidence led in pursuance of subsection (6) would have been admissible in the proceedings in which the protection order was made. (9) In this section— “domestic violence protection order” has the meaning set out in section 27 (meaning of “domestic abuse protection order”) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021; “non-molestation order” has the meaning set out in section 42 (non-molestation orders) of the Family Law Act 1996; “restraining order” has the meaning set out in chapter 3 (protection from harassment) of the Sentencing Act 2020; “presumed” means presumed by the offender.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) For the purposes of this section an offence is aggravated by hostility related to persons falling within any of sections 32 to 34 if— (a) at the time the order was made, or immediately before or after doing so, the offender demonstrated towards the person for whose protection the order was made, hostility based on the person being (or being presumed to be) a person falling within any of sections 32 to 34, or (b) the abusive behaviour was motivated (wholly or partly) by hostility towards persons falling within any of those sections in their capacity as such. (6) For the purposes of subsection (4) it is immaterial whether or not the perpetrator’s hostility is also based, to any extent, on any other factor not mentioned in that subsection.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) The court must, when making a qualifying order, also make an order (a “disqualification order”) that the offender is disqualified, for the period in which the qualifying order is in force— (a) for being nominated for election to a relevant elective office, and (b) for being elected to or holding a relevant elective office. (4) Subsection (2) does not apply where the court considers that there are particular circumstances relating to the qualifying order or to the perpetrator which would make it unjust in all the circumstances to make the order; and in such a case the court must state the reasons for not making the order.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) After Section 30 (disqualification orders) insert— “30A Disqualification orders in connection with court orders relating to abuse or harassment (1) This section applies where— (a) a person (“the perpetrator”) has a qualifying order made against them, (b) the perpetrator was aged 18 or over when the order was made, and (c) the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that behaviour done to a person for whose protection the qualifying order is made is aggravated by hostility to a person falling within any of sections 32 to 34. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a qualifying order is— (a) a domestic violence protection order; (b) a non-molestation order; or (c) a restraining order.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 58— Offences for purposes of Part 5 of the Elections Act 2022: domestic abuse— “(1) Schedule 9 (offences for the purpose of part 5) of the Elections Act 2022 is amended as set out in subsection (2). (2) After paragraph 52A (Online Safety Act 2023) insert— “Behaviour amounting to domestic abuse 52B Any offence where the behaviour of the accused amounted to domestic abuse within the meaning of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (see section 1 of that Act).”” This new clause would add offences amounting to domestic abuse to the list of Schedule 9 offences for which provisions relating to hostility would apply. New clause 59— Disqualification orders for court orders relating to abuse or harassment— “(1) The Elections Act 2022 is amended as set out below.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) Proposals published under this section relating to a programme of civic education must include civic education in schools and the production of learning materials for adults on topics including— (a) the different electoral systems operation in the UK, and (b) the roles and responsibilities of elected office holders in the UK.” This new clause requires the Government to publish proposals for compulsory voting at UK general elections and local elections in England and proposals for a programme of civic education in schools and the production of learning materials for adults on topics including electoral systems and the roles of elected office holders.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Proposals published under this section relating to compulsory voting must include— (a) provision for electors to be able to mark an abstention, either through returning a spoilt or blank ballot; (b) provision for the failure to vote to be punishable through a penalty fine, at a rate to be set by the Secretary of State; (c) provision for certain exemptions to be made for those who are unable to participate in an election, including— (i) those with a physical or mental illness, or disability, (ii) those who are unavoidably absent from the UK, and (iii) those with a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from participating in the election.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 57— Compulsory voting and civic education— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament proposals for introducing— (a) a compulsory duty to vote at UK parliamentary elections and local elections in England, and (b) a programme of civic education in connection with that duty.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) The plan must set out— (a) the steps that the Secretary of State plans to take to facilitate the registration of persons registered under section 12A of RPA 1983, including the dates by which each step will be completed; (b) when the Secretary of State expects any pilot regulations made under section 20 to be laid before each House of Parliament; (c) a projection of the number of additional persons registered by 15 August 2029 as a consequence of the implementation (in part or in full) of Part 2.” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to publish a plan for implementation of registration without an application.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 56— Plan for implementation of registration without an application— “(1) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish a plan for the implementation of Part 2. (2) The Secretary of State must comply with subsection (1) within the period of two months beginning with the day on which this section of this Act comes into force. (3) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the plan before Parliament.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗